From popular hits to hidden gems! Recommended cover artists that will keep you excited with new discoveries

BoyhoodUtada Hikaru

Hikaru Utada – “Boyhood” (from the DVD ‘The 20s Are Wild!’)

The singer-songwriter who shook Japan’s music scene is Hikaru Utada.

While rooted in R&B, she captivates a wide audience with a unique style that transcends genres such as J-pop and electronica.

Her debut single “Automatic/time will tell,” released in 1998, became a smash hit in no time.

The following year’s masterpiece, “First Love,” holds the astonishing record of about 7.65 million copies sold in Japan.

Critically, her work is also highly acclaimed—for example, her album “Fantôme” won the “Best Album Award” at the Japan Record Awards.

If you’re seeking lyrics and melodies that resonate with the heart, why not give Hikaru Utada’s music a listen?

The Maiden with Flaxen HairShimatani Hitomi

Hitomi Shimatani / "A Maiden with Flaxen Hair" [OFFICIAL MV FULL SIZE]

One artist who is well-known as a catalyst for the cover song boom is Hitomi Shimatani.

After debuting in 1999 as an enka singer, she shifted to pop.

Her 2002 cover of “Amairo no Kami no Otome” became a record-breaking hit, topping the Oricon karaoke chart for 18 consecutive weeks.

She also gained popularity with original songs like “Perseus,” and performed at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen for four consecutive years.

Her expressive range—spanning Latin and jazz—brings out new charm in the originals.

If you’d like to enjoy a different flavor than the original tracks, be sure to give her music a listen!

PretenderHirose Kōmi

Pretender

Known by the nickname “Queen of Winter,” singer-songwriter Kōmi Hirose is celebrated for her music rooted in classical traditions—powerful and captivating, wouldn’t you agree? She debuted in 1992, and the following year scored a massive hit with a song made famous in a ski equipment store commercial.

In recent years, her YouTube activity has drawn attention as well, with her “I tried singing” cover series surpassing 430,000 subscribers.

Her covers, delivered with assured vocal prowess, bring out the strengths of the originals while radiating a fresh allure.

If you want to be swept away by a commanding voice, be sure to give her a listen.

Sign of LoveMori Nana

Nana Mori - Sign of Love (Music Video)

Nana Mori is currently flourishing as an actress, and her singing voice is incredibly captivating as well.

She began her music career in 2020 with a film theme song, and her cover of “Smile,” produced as a beverage commercial song, has garnered over 35 million views on YouTube.

The expressive power that earned her the Best New Actress award at the Seiyu Awards for her role as a heroine in an animated film surely shines through in her singing, too.

If you listen to her album “Album,” featuring tracks provided by a variety of creators, you’re bound to discover a new side of her.

Be sure to check it out!

Wine Red HeartShiina Ringo

Wine Red No Kokoro

Shiina Ringo captivates listeners with her one-of-a-kind artistic world.

She debuted in May 1998 with the single “Koufukuron” (The Theory of Happiness), and her music—fusing rock, jazz, kayōkyoku, and other genres—has won wide acclaim.

Songs like “Honnō” and “Gips” retain an undimmed allure and continue to influence many artists today.

Her landmark 2000 album “Shōso Strip” sold over 2.3 million copies.

That literary and provocative worldview is perfect for anyone seeking a musical experience unlike any other.

Be sure to give her songs a listen.

HOWEVERKahara Tomomi

Tomomi Kahala – HOWEVER

One of the singers who epitomized the J-POP scene of the 1990s is Tomomi Kahara.

With an emotionally rich voice, she deftly handled everything from ballads to dance-pop, gaining popularity after her 1995 debut with hits like “I BELIEVE” and “I’m proud.” Her 1996 album LOVE BRACE was a massive success, selling a total of 2.57 million copies.

A proven talent who won the Best New Artist Award at the 37th Japan Record Awards, she’s also known for bringing out different charms from original songs—her 2014 cover album even won the Planning Award.

If you’d like to experience a voice that’s both powerful and delicate, be sure to give her a listen!

A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyOnitsuka Chihiro

Chihiro Onitsuka – Setting Off on a Good Day, Westward

Chihiro Onitsuka is an artist who has built her own unique world with a soul-stirring voice.

Debuting in 2000, her song Gekkou, which became a massive hit as the theme for the TV drama TRICK, sold over 560,000 copies.

Her ability to captivate listeners with just piano and vocals is a truly unparalleled charm.

Her acclaimed album Insomnia became a million seller, and in December 2001 she won the Japan Record Awards’ Lyrics Award for Mezame.

If you want to immerse yourself in lyrics and vocals that cut deep into the heart, be sure to step into her world.